TOKYO (AP) — Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman who was the world’s oldest person according to Guinness World Records, has died, an Ashiya city official said Saturday. She was 116.
Yoshitsugu Nagata, an official in charge of elderly policies, said Itooka died on Dec. 29 at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan.
Itooka, who loved bananas and a yogurt-flavored Japanese drink called Calpis, was born on May 23, 1908. She became the oldest person last year following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas, according to the Gerontology Research Group.
When she was told she was at the top of the World Supercentenarian Rankings List, she simply replied, “Thank you.”
When Itooka celebrated her birthday last year, she received flowers, a cake and a card from the mayor.
Born in Osaka, Itooka was a volleyball player in high school, and long had a reputation for a sprightly spirit, Nagata said. She climbed the 3,067-meter (10,062-foot) Mount Ontake twice.
She married at 20, and had two daughters and two sons, according to Guinness.
Itooka managed the office of her husband’s textile factory during World War II. She lived alone in Nara after her husband died in 1979.
She is survived by one son and one daughter, and five grandchildren. A funeral service was held with family and friends, according to Nagata.
According to the Gerontology Research Group, the world's oldest person is now 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born 16 days after Itooka.
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This photo provided by Ashiya City shows Tomiko Itooka, being celebrated for her 116th birthday at the nursing home she lives in Ashiya, western Japan, on May 23, 2024. (Ashiya City via AP)
FILE - This photo provided by Ashiya City shows Tomiko Itooka, being celebrated for her 116th birthday at the nursing home she lives in Ashiya, western Japan, on May 23, 2024. (Ashiya City via AP, File)
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Alex Ovechkin took another step closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record by scoring his 892nd career goal in the Washington Capitals' 5-1 loss at the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.
Ovechkin moved two away from tying Gretzky and three from passing him. The 39-year-old Russian was disappointed in his team's loss and that he couldn't score another one.
He had a point-blank shot stopped by Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen early in the second period with the Capitals trailing 3-0.
“We have a pretty good chance in the second, first shift a breakaway,” Ovechkin said. “And in this game, if you have a chance, you have to use it and I think all goalies play well tonight."
Ovechkin also had a early chance to set the tone for the night, five minutes in, but had the puck poked away from behind by Carolina's top defenseman, Jaccob Slavin.
To get No. 892, Ovechkin beat Andersen on a 5-on-3 power-play with 34.5 seconds left in the second period. He now has 10 goals in 13 career games against Andersen, 53 overall in the 92 games he has faced Carolina and 32 in 46 games in Raleigh, which is the most of any visiting player.
Commissioner Gary Bettman, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and Ovechkin's wife, Nastya, were in attendance for No. 892, sitting together in a suite.
All eyes were on Ovechkin and “The GR8 Chase,” but the third period devolved into an old-school, rough-and-tumble hockey game. Eight players, four from each team, were given misconduct penalties after multiple fights and scrums.
Ovechkin was poised to get another late power-play chance before Connor McMichael had a roughing penalty tacked on to his fighting major.
“We understand there's a possibility to see them in the playoffs,” Ovechkin said. “It was a a playoff atmosphere out there.”
Ovechkin has 39 goals this season and is one away from reaching 40 for a 14th time — also the most in league history — despite missing 16 games because of a broken left fibula.
The Eastern Conference-leading Capitals have seven more games left this season, starting with Friday's home game against Chicago. Washington defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk expects an electric atmosphere.
“(The record) feels like it's right there,” van Riemsdyk said. “He feels like he's still scoring every night. It’s been huge for us and awesome for him to see that he’s still doing it at this torrid pace.”
Ovechkin is on track to pass Gretzky’s mark of 894, which long seemed unapproachable, before the playoffs begin. Based on his season and career scoring averages, he's on pace to break the record April 13 at home against Columbus.
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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates a goal with teammates against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) watches the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) shoots the puck past Carolina Hurricanes Dmitry Orlov (7) for a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
